Night Market operators cancel future events

The company behind Margaret River’s popular yet contentious Night Market are maintaining radio silence after last week cancelling the next year of events. The Times understands the market operators sought funding from the Shire’s community development grants to underwrite onerous parking costs, but were ineligible as a commercial business. Previously, the Times reported the market was run by Somersault Events, owned by Farmer’s Market co-ordinator Katrina Lombardo and Michelle Wright, now the general manager of Arts Margaret River. Neither Ms Lombardo nor Ms Wright responded to Times inquiries after a social media post left residents to speculate about the reasons behind the cancelled 2021-22 dates, last proposed for Margaret River’s Memorial Park. The Night Market has previously made headlines due to strong opposition from many main street restaurateurs who alleged the fly-by-night operation sucked money from the town’s ratepaying businesses, facilitated by Shire support. The Times understands the Shire’s increased focus on the “sustainable local economy” was an uneasy fit with the Night Market model, which many understood to be a community-based initiative rather than a business. Shire of Augusta-Margaret River human and community services manager Nigel Anderson said a fresh two-year approval was granted to the operators last month, but an events permit was not lodged. “Shire officers and Night Market organisers have been working together to consider the options available to the event,” Mr Anderson said. “Night Markets organisers have historically applied for, and received, a carparking fee waiver. “An application for a fee waiver has not been received for 2021-22,” he said. “Shire officers were working with organisers to consider alternative venues and funding options, and became aware of the event’s cancellation via public announcement. “We respect the organiser’s position to not move ahead with the event this year and staff will continue to be available to assist if and when required.” When the Night Market sought two-year approvals in 2019, the Times reported then-councillor Pauline McLeod undertook her own research and canvassed main street operators about support for the market, which operated about five times per year. “Without exception, all the traders told me the Friday night markets deeply impacted on their business,” Cr McLeod said in September 2019. Cr McLeod said businesses showed a willingness to compromise, but the market operators rejected a bid to change nights to Thursday or Sunday to avoid eating into the main strip’s chief night for trade. In 2019, businesses were preparing for the redevelopment of Margaret River’s main strip, and yet to face the COVID-19 pandemic. “We rate those businesses on the main street higher,” Cr McLeod told her peers. “Some of them are not taking as much (income) home now as ... they were 18 years ago. That’s how tough it is.” Ms Wright was unable to attend the 2019 meeting, held in Augusta, but in a deputation said the pop-up event did not make any profit, and a waiver on carparking and banner fees was necessary for the proposal to stay viable. The cancellation comes just weeks after a stoush among board members for the Regional Producers Association, which runs the Saturday Farmer’s Market and employs Ms Lombardo, with existing committee members quitting amid a failed election at their October annual general meeting.